“The Artist,” a silent comedy shot in rich black and white, is the unexpected hit of the Cannes Film Festival. Michel Hazanvicius’s spectacular take on the transition from the silent film era to talkies is brilliant, fresh and altogether original. The film got a wildly rousing ten minute standing ovation at its premiere tonight. The cast includes American actors John Goodman, Penelope Ann Miller and Joel Murray. But the revelations are the lead actor and actress who are French, and a talented Jack Russell terrier. Watch for The Artist, distributed by Harvey Weinstein, to be a major part of the next awards season. And strangely enough it has — by chance — two elements to watch for that made it perfect for Weinstein to buy: a reference fo “Inglourious Basterds” and another to “The King’s Speech.” Talk about prescient. The film was shot by French filmmakers in Los Angeles, by the way. And the main actors–Berenice Bejo and Jean Dujardin–took six months of tap dance lessons to be in the film. Wait til you see them!
Cannes: Silent Black and White Film Causes Sensation
“The Artist,” a silent comedy shot in rich black and white, is the unexpected hit of the Cannes Film Festival. Michel Hazanvicius’s spectacular take on the transition from the silent film era to talkies is brilliant, fresh and altogether original. The film got a wildly rousing ten minute standing ovation at its premiere tonight. The cast includes American actors John Goodman, Penelope Ann Miller and Joel Murray. But the revelations are the lead actor and actress who are French, and a talented Jack Russell terrier. More to come later. But watch for The Artist, distributed by Harvey Weinstein, to be a major part of the next awards season.
Melanie and Antonio 15th Anniversary: “They Said We Wouldn’t Last Three Months”
Saturday in Cannes: Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas celebrated their 15th anniversary by going to the really famous Bacon restaurant in Antibes. Antonio bought Melanie stunning jewelry–earrings, a ring, and a necklace that Melanie told us aboard Russian billionaire (and Weinstein Company investor) Len Blavatnik‘s yacht, the Odessa, would have been “too much” for an informal lunch. Antonio’s gift was a cross made of black diamonds that he showed off to guests like Naomi Campbell, Jessica Chastain, Jane Fonda, Ron Burkle, and “Dark Knight” producer Charles Roven.
Antonio, who’s got Pedro Almodovar‘s “The Skin I Live In” premiering here on Thursday, joked: “They said when we got married we wouldn’t last three months. But we knew they were wrong.” Indeed, the Hollywood couple are stronger than ever and having a ball. Antonio has turned into a producer and director. I can tell you exclusively that he’s getting ready to produce a series pilot for Melanie called “Neurasthenia.”
The Banderases took in the “Pirates” premiere before heading to Bacon, and later met up with Robert DeNiro and Grace Hightower, Jane Fonda and Richard Perry, at the Hotel DuCap’s famous lobby bar well after midnight–where they all bumped into the “Pirates” gang–Johnny Depp, director Rob Marshall, and actor Ian McShane who were toasting their much cheered opening night.
DeNiro, by the way, is having a great time as head of the jury. When I asked him how it was going, he gave me a huge grin and put his index finger to his closed mouth. “Shhhh, we can’t say a word!” he joked.
As for Melanie and Antonio: I don’t know what the tabloids do to doctor pictures of Melanie. But I can tell you that she is absolutely gorgeous, and looks more like a movie star than ever. Antonio is a lucky guy!
Cannes: Sarah Jessica Parker Shows “How She Does It”
Sarah Jessica Parker is not waiting around for another “Sex and the City” movie. No way. On Friday night in Cannes, SJP– wearing a white Dolce & Gabbana gown with strings of pearls–showed off a lot of clips from her fall film, “I Don’t Know How She Does It.” The occasion was a Weinstein Company party at the H0tel Martinez where movie mogul Harvey Weinstein unveiled highlights from several new films and talked a little bit about some that are going to start production–including David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook,” which was announced in this column, and Quentin Tarantino‘s new one, “Django Unchained”–with rumored cast members Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Parker was a little nervous, but it turned out she needn’t have been. Her Doug McGrath directed comedy has an all star cast including Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, and Kelsey Grammer. Based on the best selling novel, “Don’t Know How” looks like the more grounded sequel to “Sex and the City”–the story of a mom who’s also a high powered professional but not quite getting everything right. The comedy could hit that sweet spot of “The Devil Wears Prada”– not bad.
The other Weinstein Company movie that generated a ton of buzz was “My Week with Marilyn,” starring Michelle Williams and Eddie Redmayne. Williams as Marilyn Monroe just jumps off the screen– she’s got “it.” The whole look of Simon Curtis’s film is sensational, with Redmayne in the “My Favorite Year” role of Colin Clark, Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier, and Judi Denchas Sybil Thorndike. “Marilyn” already looks like a winner, and an award getter–and a lot of fun.
Williams, of course, won’t be Weinstein Company’s only Best Actress candidate. The company just picked up –with Ron Burkle–Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in “Iron Lady.” The $7 million purchase has the Croisette buzzing–this was one of the few powerhouse films available so far. “Iron Lady” could be “The King’s Speech” of 2011.
Cannes 2011: Mick Jagger Plans “Secret” Album for Fall
Saturday night May 13th in Cannes:At Charles Finch‘s annual swellegant dinner at the Eden Roc in Cap d’Antibes, Mick Jagger told me — with a Cheshire cat grin– that he will release a new album in the fall. “It’s not the Rolling Stones and it’s not a solo record,” he informed me. “But it’s something special.”
As a fan of Jagger’s solo work, I was thrilled to know that we’ll hear his voice on any record soon. The Rolling Stones are mired in various contractual and personal issues that have prevented them from making new music or touring right now. Of course, it was a little ironic to hear about Jagger’s new album on the same day that Keith Richards made a brief on screen appearance in the new “Pirates” movie. But life is full of coincidences. Jagger of course was accompanied by his beautiful and talented girlfriend L’Wren Scott, who’s now designing her own highly successful fashion line.
The Finch dinner–which highlights “The Finch Quarterly””– is one of the most coveted invites of the festival. And it didn’t disappoint. Arranged on the Eden Rock terrace overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean dotted with mega yachts, the dinner for around one hundred was full of table hopping A listers including Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, who’s made a solid recovery from illness and looked great. Allen told me he’s just finished promoting his book, called “Idea Man” with TV appearances and even some rare book signings.
I ran into Mia Wasikowska from Gus van Sant’s “Restless,” plus Jane Fonda and Richard Perry, Harvey Weinstein, Sony Pictures Classics’ Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, director Simon Curtis, Johnny Pigozzi, producers Cassian Elwes and Ed Pressman, and the guest of honor for the evening, famed British producer Jeremy Thomas.
And the secret Jagger album? All his business partner Victoria Pearman would tell me on the sly is that “it’s amazing. And that’s all I can tell you for now.” It will be Jagger’s first release for Universal Records.
Cannes: Johnny Depp Swashbuckles Into Pirates, Number 4
Captain Jack Sparrow is back, and this time he’s looking for the Fountain of Youth. “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” premieres tonight at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival with stars Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, and Ian McShane on hand. Geoffrey Rush, of course, is featured front and center in the latest installment of the “Pirates” series, and Keith Richards–uncredited–returns as Sparrow’s father albeit ever so briefly. It’s hard to evaluate a “Pirates” movie at this point.
At the premiere tonight: the cast, plus Jane Fonda, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, and all the celebs who aren’t attending the Tribeca Film Festival’s Cannes screening and dinner.
You know it will be a blockbuster; the whole thing is sort of beyond criticism. And unlike “Harry Potter,” we’re not working toward a conclusion. At today’s press conference, Depp threatened many more episodes. Knowing that there’s already a script for Number 5, and that Cruz has probably signed on for Number 6, too. what can you do but sit back and relax and enjoy? It’s not like this is torture, although the Hans Zimmer score is so loud and lively that you may want to wear earplugs.
The plot this time is indeed the search for the Fountain of Youth. There’s a lot of swordplay along the way, and some feisty chit chat between Depp and Cruz–they’re a good pair. Penelope is a good match for Depp. Ian McShane is a formidable Blackbeard. And there’s loads of special effects, plenty of CGI to satisfy the kids. This is summer blockbuster big studio fare, nicely polished and laminated in a very pleasant package.
Princess Diana Conspiracy Film: Mohammed El Fayed Backed it for $5 Mil
“Unlawful Killing,” the film that accuses the British royals of conspiring to kill Princess Diana and her lover Dodi Fayed, screened today in Cannes. This is the film that won’t be shown in the U K.
Filmmaker Keith Allen — father of singer Lily Allen — says the film is “forensic” and shows that the British and French authorities conspired to kill the couple and cover it up. But financing for the film came totally from Dodi Fayed’s father, Mohammed el Fayed, owner of Harrod’s.That fact is not disclosed anywhere in the film or credits. But journalists at today’s press conference asked the question and got their answer–from El Fayed’s pr guy. The whole thing is a vanity project from the House of Harrod’s.
El Fayed has always accused the royals of killing his son. He gets to tell his story in “Unlawful Killing.” Not only that but he burns the royal crests that used to hang at Harrods in his backyard, for Allen’s cameras. The film plays a long episode of the E! True Hollywood story, with clips and interviews featuring Howard Stern, Robin Quivers and of all people the late Tony Curtis.
These people don’t help, particularly with Curtis defending Dodi. The movie’s main weakness is that Dodi is presented as a saint, with no real examination of his playboy life. As for El Fayed funding the film — Allen admitted that El Fayed was his only backer and paid 5 million dollars. But this not being mentioned in the film,Allen said a press conference this morning: “The Mafia funds American movies and that’s never mentioned.”
By the end of today’s press conference it was clear that “Unlawful Killing” is a waste of time, and resources. For his $5 million, Mohammed el Fayed gets a movie that cannot be taken seriously.
Princess Diana Conspiracy Film was Funded by Mohammed El Fayed
“Unlawful Killing,” the film that accuses the British royals of conspiring to kill Princess Diana and her lover Dodi Fayed, screened today in Cannes. This is the film that won’t be shown in the U K. Filmmaker Keith Allen says the film is “forensic” and shows that the British and French authorities conspired to kill the couple and cover it up. But financing for the film came at least in part from Dodi Fayed’s father, Mohammed el Fayed, owner of Harrod’s. El Fayed has always accused the royals of killing his son. He gets to tell his story in Unlawful Killing. Not only that but he burns the royal crests that used to hang at Harrods in his backyard, for Allen’s cameras. The film plays a long episode of the E! True Hollywood story, with clips and interviews featuring Howard Stern, Robin Quivers and of all people the late Tony Curtis. These people don’t help, particularly with Curtis defending Dodi. The movie’s main weakness is that Dodi is presented as a saint, with no real examination of his playboy life. As for El Fayed funding the film but this not being mentioned in the film,Allen said a press conference this morning: “The Mafia funds American movies and that’s never mentioned.”
Dennis Hopper Got to See Son in His First Movie Before He Died
The legendary actor, director and artist Dennis Hopper got to see his 20 year old son, Henry, make his film debut. Henry told me last night that Dennis was able to watch a rough cut of him in Gus van Sant’s “Restless” before he died last year. Dennis could only have been proud of Henry, who really is made into a star in van Sant’s film, which premiered last night in Cannes. “Restless” is sort of like “Harold and Maude” meets “Love Story.”
For van Sant, it’s a real indie love story that will connect strongly with young people, I think. Mia Wasoskowska, of “Kids Are All Right” fame, is a knockout. Schuyler Fisk, daughter of Sissy Spacek, is terrific. But thanks to van Sant, Henry Hopper’s first film ever is a star turn. The blonde, blue eyed young man resembles closely his father Dennis and his mom, actress Katherine La Nasa, who proudly accompanied Henry to the “Restless” premiere.
So what next? Henry tells me that he’s done some art installation work on pieces curated by James Franco. Like Franco, he’s also into art and into exploring all aspects of entertainment. “It took him a month to agree to make this film,” his manager, Ilene Feldman, told me last night. “He may never do anything again, or take off like a rocket. It’s all up to him.”
“Restless” will be launched this fall from the Toronto Film Festival.
PS “Restless” is produced by Bryce Dallas Howard, following in the footsteps of her father,Ron Howard. She did a great job. More on Bryce later today….
Cannes Fri May 13th: Tilda Swinton, Vampire; DePalma Returns
The third day of Cannes is upon us, but before we set sail: Tilda Swinton, receiving rave reviews, of course, on “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” Tilda — and this is EXCLUSIVE to this column–is getting ready to make a vampire movie with the great director Jim Jarmusch. The announcement will come shortly, probably here at Cannes. And yes, Tilda herself will be putting the bite on unsuspecting strangers. Will all the vampire films and TV shows out there, you can bet that Jarmusch–whose resume includes such classics as “Broken Flowers” and “Down by Law” will have the most interesting and hip take of all. A very exciting move…
…Brian DePalma is back. Also EXCLUSIVE to this column, DePalma is on track to make an American version of a French film, “Crine d’Amour” that played at Cannes last year. DePalma’s thriller will be called “Passion.” It’s been a while since DePalma went to work. His last films were “Redacted” and “Femme Fatale.” His classics are numerous, from “Dressed to Kill” to “Body Double.” Hopefully, “Passion” will see return to his Hitchcockian best…
…”Cannes is slow,” say the cab drivers and our ever intrepid regular driver, Sebaastian. There’s worry that the crowds are not particularly thick, and that business may be off. It probably doesn’t help that the weekend schedule is lighter than usual, with all the big action starting on Monday. The Saturday night premiere of “Pirates of the Carribbean” should help, however. But at least Woody Allen’s group–Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen–have stuck around. And once Gus van Sant’s “Restless” screens some more, Mia Wasokowska and Henry Hopper are going to be very much in demand…